The Recording Academy has appointed Grammy-winning poet and artist J. Ivy and artist, songwriter and media host Torae as the new co-chairs of its Black Music Collective (BMC), to succeed Dr. Chelsey Green and Rico Love.
J. Ivy and Torae were selected by Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. and Dr. Green, who in June became the first Black woman to be elected chair of the academy’s board of trustees. The pair will collaborate on initiatives that “build trust with and empower Black artists, creators and music executives,” in the academy’s words. They will also help structure BMC programs, events and campaigns while advancing year-round efforts in education, advocacy, wellness, innovations, and continued investment in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
“J. Ivy and Torae have long been valued members of the Recording Academy family, consistently volunteering their time and using their platforms to drive positive change within the organization,” Mason said in a statement. “I’m confident they will lead the Black Music Collective with purpose and vision, introducing bold ideas and deepening our support for Black music creatives and executives across the music industry.”
“J. Ivy and Torae have been stalwart voices on our Board, championing inclusion, representation and integrity on all sides of our work,” said Dr. Green. “As leaders of the Black Music Collective, they will amplify the Black music creator community, expanding education and advocacy efforts while working to ensure that Black creators—in all their diversity of genre, expression and innovation—are more deeply seen, heard and valued.”
The Black Music Collective is one of two specific groups listed under Diversity & Inclusion on the academy’s website. The other is Women in the Mix.
The BMC has hosted the annual Recording Academy Honors – a marquee Grammy Week event established in 2022 that recognizes legendary Black artists and executives. Honorees are presented with the Recording Academy Global Impact Award for their personal and professional contributions to music. Past recipients include Alicia Keys, Dr. Dre, Lenny Kravitz, Lil Wayne, Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott, and Sylvia Rhone.
Since 2021, in partnership with Amazon Music, the BMC has also championed educational equity for HBCU students through the annual Your Future Is Now Scholarship. The initiative provides $10,000 grants to students for music equipment, alongside immersive, hands-on professional development experiences with both the Academy and Amazon Music teams. Additionally, each year, an HBCU is selected to receive a separate $10,000 grant to support its band program.
J. Ivy is a trailblazing poet, artist and performer who has redefined the role of poetry in mainstream culture. A three-time Grammy winner from Chicago, he made history in 2023 as the first poet to win the Grammy Award for best spoken word poetry album for The Poet Who Sat the Door, followed by a second win in that category 2024 for The Light Inside. In 2023, he also won best roots gospel album as a producer of Tennessee State University Marching Band’s The Urban Hymnal. J. Ivy has collaborated with such icons as JAY-Z, John Legend and Ray Charles.
Torae is an artist, songwriter and cultural leader whose influence spans music, media and community. A former president of the academy’s New York Chapter, he is an advocate for equitable music policy and systemic industry change. Torae hosts two signature SiriusXM shows, “The Tor Guide” and “That Raw,” and regularly appears on live platforms including New York City FC and the Rock the Bells Cruise. He has written songs for such artists as BLACKPINK, Cardi B, Lizzo, and Migos.
In addition to their new roles, J. Ivy continues to serve as governor of the academy’s Chicago chapter, while Torae is a national trustee representing the New York Chapter.
The academy’s site lists nine honorary chairs for the BMC, including the late Quincy Jones, who died in November at age 91. The others are Ethiopia Habtemariam, Jeff Harleston, Jimmy Jam, John Legend, Sylvia Rhone, Valeisha Butterfield Jones, Yolanda Adams and Yvette Noel Schure.
BMC staff advisors listed on the site are Mason; Ricky Lyon and Jessica Omokheyeke.
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